Dutch Creek Stream Restoration and Education Initiative

Valle Crucis Community Park, Inc., Banner Elk, NC

The Dutch Creek Stream Restoration and Education Initiative restored a degraded reach of Dutch Creek using natural channel design methods. The project is located on property shared by Valle Crucis Community Park and Valle Crucis School, making it an excellent opportunity to educate the public about the importance of restoration projects to protect important aquatic and riparian habitat.

Counties Impacted:

Watauga County

​ The Dutch Creek Stream Restoration project has enabled Valle Crucis Commuity Park to meet several strategic goals: Not only did it drastically improve very important aquatic and riparian habitat, it has alleviated issues with flooding during major storms and improved access to the creek for fishing and wading. The project has also been used for several environmental education programs, both for the general public and for students at Valle Crucis School.

The Water Resource Fund from Duke Energy is a multiyear, $10 million commitment to protect and restore waterways in the Carolinas and neighboring states. Learn more about the projects we’ve supported so far, and how you can get involved.